30 Mar Crochet Project #7: Granny Stitch Baby Blanket
On Friday, I finished another project–two finished projects in one week is pretty all right–a granny stitch baby blanket inspired by a pattern by Kim Werker who created it for a Craftsy course that I accessed via Great Courses. Holy long sentence, Batman! I say inspired by because I made a number of modifications.
The first modification is yarn brand and colours, while keeping the yarn weight and hook size. Werker recommends Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick #6 Super Bulky in the colours Eggplant, Fisherman Butterscotch, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Glacier and Denim. I used Bernat Softee Chunky #6 Super Bulky in the colours Dark Mauve, Natural, Glowing Gold, Pumpkin, Grey Rose, Seagreen and Faded Denim. The colours aren’t too dissimilar. The biggest diversion from the original pallet is the Grey Rose instead of Raspberry. The Raspberry is very bright–which is not for me–compared to the muted Grey Rose.
The second modification had to do with chains. Werker’s pattern calls for a Chain 2 between each Granny Cluster and a Chain 3 in the corners. Typically, when I make Granny Squares, I don’t do any chains between clusters and do a Chain 2 in the corners; but that is with a #4 Worsted weight yarn. Because I was working with a #6, I decided to do a Chain 1 between clusters while keeping my usual Chain 2 in the corners. I did first attempt Werker’s design and found the gaps between clusters to be way too big for my personal tastes. Because of the weight of this yarn, I think my change to Chain 1 between clusters was appropriate.
Werker’s pattern says the finished project is 122 cm square (48 inches). My finished blanket measures 99 cm square (39 inches). My stitches were close to Werker’s gauge when following her pattern, so the difference in finished size must be the result of fewer chains.
The blanket only took 5 hours 30 minutes and 13 seconds to complete. The cost of the yarn when not on sale is $49.91 CAD ($4.99 CAD per skein and a total of 9 skeins: 3 of Dark Mauve, 1 each of the remaining colours). At B.C.’s minimum wage of $17.85 CAD, the minimum retail cost of this blanket would be $157.01 CAD.
This blanket wasn’t made with anyone in mind, and I currently don’t know anyone who may want it. It would also make for a good lap blanket. If I don’t find a home for it in the next few months, then I’ll put it up for sale here at a reduced price, keeping true to not turning my hobby into a monetized thing. Destashing doesn’t count as monetization.
So that’s that! In the comment below tell me all about your most recent finished WIP!
If you liked this post or if taught you something new, buy me a cup of coffee or a few!
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Teisha
Posted at 19:29h, 30 MarchGorgeous blanket, Jules. Incredibly tight, concise stitches. (Can’t say I’m surprised though, of course.) I’m not sure it was intentional, but I like how the central red/yellow stitches resemble a flower a bit. I also love that you included your calculations on materials cost, time taken, and the resultant minimum retail cost (people so rarely think about this). So fun to see your projects. Makes me want to get back into crocheting again (but already overcommitted)! Thanks for sharing.
Jules Sherred
Posted at 19:58h, 30 MarchThanks, Teisha! The centre turned out the way it did because of the colour order in the pattern and my substitutions. As for time and costs, I include those for two reasons. The first, it keeps me from monetizing my hobby because I won’t undervalue myself. Selling stuff below cost to destash doesn’t count. The second reason is to teach people the value of these projects as they are often undervalued. As for getting back into it, maybe you need to write it into a book, like the piano 🙂
Teisha Rowland
Posted at 20:18h, 30 MarchThose two are completely reasonable reasons, and I wholeheartedly agree. I never monetized my crochet hobby either; I agreed that it’d likely undervalue the (usually underestimated) time it took. But, I did have fun sharing instructions for my ridiculous creations (> 10 years ago): https://www.instructables.com/Light-Up-Christmas-Tree-Hat/ (Though my ridiculous knitted Minecraft Mooshroom Hat was my favorite.)
Jules, I laughed so hard about your book comment (and then immediately thought — what a great idea). But it hurts too! I need to get my first published before I can start a second. I’m sure you know how this feels. Getting into querying again soon. Maybe sacrifice something to the lit agent dieties for me 😅
Anyway, thanks again for the crochet inspiration! Appreciate it.
Jules Sherred
Posted at 20:21h, 30 MarchThat hat is hysterical!! I LOVE IT!
Well wishes on your journey!
You’re welcome!